This month we are going to pour in our glasses red wines and we do that with two varieties playing a very important role in their respective regions. We are in fact going to talk about Corvina and Marzemino, respectively protagonists of the wine and viticultural scene of Veneto and Trentino. Corvina is the most representative grape in Valpolicella and Bardolino wines, a variety also used for the renowned Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella. Marzemino, undoubtedly, is not as famous as Corvina, however it is capable of making interesting wines, also benefiting from a glorious past which made this grape famous outside its land. Two grapes, however, very different one from each other and having no connection, despite the relatively short distance dividing the two areas in which they are cultivated. A distance which can be found, in particular, in wines made from these two varieties.

 Corvina is mostly cultivated in the vast territory of Valpolicella and it is virtually found in Veneto only, with marginal and rare exceptions outside this region. Marzemino is found in many areas of Northern Italy and, despite it is strongly associated to Trentino, it is also used for the production of wines in other regions in Italy. On this regard, are mentioned the DOC areas in Lombardy of Garda - extending to the neighboring Veneto - Botticino, Cellatica, Capriano del Colle and Riviera del Garda Bresciano. In Veneto is also found in the DOC areas of Breganze and Merlara, in Reggio Emilia is a grape used for the DOC wines of Colli di Scandiano e Canossa. Both varieties are used for the production of many styles and - in this sense - Marzemino certainly is more versatile, as it is sometimes used for the production of sparkling wines as well.

 Talking about Corvina it is impossible not to mention the most famous wine produced with this grape: Amarone della Valpolicella. Indeed, Corvina is also used in other wines of Veneto and it is used, among the many, in Valpolicella, Bardolino and Garda reds, as well as Recioto della Valpolicella. The interest for Corvina - certainly supported by the fame of Amarone and Valpolicella wines - reached, with a quite interesting success, vineyards of other countries of the world as well. Generally used blended to other varieties - in particular Rondinella, Molinara and Corvinone - Corvina is capable of making interesting wines also in case it is used alone. A choice, to tell the truth, few producers made, probably attracted by the commercial advantage the Valpolicella name can ensure in sales.

 The origins of Corvina are quite uncertain, it is however believed it originated from the territory of Verona. Historical mentions about Corvina - which complete name is Corvina Veronese - are in fact rare and sometimes obscure, therefore the determination of its origin is quite difficult. Corvina has also been subject of confusion, in particular with Corvinone grape, considered for a very long time one of its clones. Indeed, they are two distinct grapes having no connection and they are more and more used together for the production of Valpolicella wines. Corvina, when used alone, is capable of giving elegant and pleasing wines, thanks to its characteristics it can be vinified both in inert and wood containers. On this regard, the tasting of wines made from 100% Corvina have a totally different nature from the more robust personality of Amarone, in which this grape is used in significant quantity.

 Marzemino is one of the most famous red berried grapes of Trentino and it is used for the production of agreeable wines and of interesting wine quality. This renowned variety - today mainly identified with Trentino - has a glorious past and its wines were found and well appreciated in the tables of wealthy people of Europe. Because of its notoriety, as well as the evident quality of its wines, it was mentioned in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Don Giovanni whom it is said to have a particular predilection for this wine. It is in fact said the young Mozart, in occasion of his trips to Trentino, had the chance to know and appreciate Marzemino. It is in fact famous the scene in which Don Giovanni - in the libretto of Lorenzo Da Ponte - orders his servant Leporello “Versa il vino. Eccellente Marzimino!” (Pour the wine. Excellent Marzimino!). This also proves the notoriety of this wine at those times and it is a well known fact it was particularly appreciated in the tables of Austrian nobles.

 About the origins of Marzemino we have reliable information, despite the confusion of the past times, and today it is commonly believed this grape comes from Lesser Asia. It is in fact believed Marzemino originates from Merzifon - a city of Turkey, in the coasts of Black Sea - it arrived in Veneto, it then spread to Lombardy and Trentino. It is in this latter region Marzemino found its best expression, in particular in Vallagarina in the Isera and Volano areas. It should however be noticed this grape is also found in other areas in Italy and it is used in many DOC wines of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna. Marzemino makes wines of remarkable agreeableness also thanks to its exuberant aromatic profile and, last but not the least, an elegant astringency well balanced by alcohol. For this reason producers usually make Marzemino wines destined to an immediate consumption and it is widely believed its wines do not have a long aging potential. Indeed, when it is made with this explicit goal, Marzemino is capable of making wines having the potential of aging and improving for many years.

 For our tasting by contrast we will choose two bottles respectively produced with 100% Corvina and Marzemino. Choosing a Marzemino wine is relatively easy as this grape is frequently vinified alone, although it is also blended to other varieties, in particular in Lombardy. Choosing Corvina is somewhat harder because this grape is rarely vinified alone and it is something few producers make. We will however choose a wine made of 100% Corvina, coming from the Verona area and aged in inert containers in order to favor the appreciation of its sensorial qualities. The Marzemino of our tasting too will be vinified in inert containers - a technique widely used with this grape - and we will choose a bottle coming from the Isera area. Both wines must be aged not more than two years and will be tasted at the temperature of 17 °C. (63 °F)

The color of Marzemino. At the edge of wine, near the opening of the glass, can be noticed its typical purple red color

 Our tasting by contrast begins, as usual, from the analysis of appearance of two wines, that is how they show themselves on the glass. The first wine we will analyze is Corvina. Let's tilt the glass over a white surface and observe the base of the wine: here we will see an intense and brilliant ruby red color with a moderate transparency. Nuances of Corvina - observed at the edge of wine, towards the opening of the glass - show a ruby red color and, sometimes, with garnet red hues. Let's now pass to the evaluation of Marzemino. The base of the glass offers to the sight of taster an intense ruby red color, almost deep, clearly deeper than Corvina. Transparency of Marzemino is evidently lower than the first wine. Nuances usually show a color having purple red hue, perfectly mixed to ruby red.

 Aromas expressed by Corvina and Marzemino directly recall black and red fruits, although with evident differences. Corvina, like to say, expresses rounder and warmer sensations than Marzemino which, sometimes, gives a crisper and fresher olfactory profile. Aromas perceived in Corvina recall black cherry, blackberry and plum, frequently giving the sensation of ripe fruits. Like already said, Marzemino cultivated in Vallagarina gives the nose fruit sensations that, compared to Corvina, seem to have a fresher and crisper profile. To the nose are perceived aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, blueberry and, frequently, pleasing aromas of almond. Among aromas recalling sensations associated to the world of flowers, in Marzemino is mainly perceived violet.

 Let's now proceed with the olfactory evaluation of both wines from the one produced with Corvina. Let's hold the glass in vertical position and, without swirling, do the first smell, an operation allowing the appreciation of wine's opening. From the glass will be perceived intense and clean aromas of black cherry, plum and blackberry to which follow, soon after, the aroma of violet. Swirl the glass now, in order to favor the oxygenation of wine, then do a second smell. From the glass will be perceived aromas of blueberry, raspberry and, sometimes, rose. Let's now pass to the glass of Marzemino and evaluate its opening. The nose will perceive aromas of cherry, plum and blueberry, followed by pleasing hints of violet and almond. After having swirled the glass, the olfactory profile of Marzemino is completed by raspberry, blackberry, pomegranate, cyclamen and, sometimes, geranium. It should be compared the olfactory impact of the two wines: Marzemino has an evidently fresher and crisper character than Corvina.

 Sensorial differences of the two wines are also perceived during the gustatory analysis. Let's take a sip of Corvina and concentrate on the sensations produced by the attack, that is the initial perception we get in the mouth. The sensation expressed by this wine is characterized by a moderate astringency and balance is promptly reached by the evident roundness, to which is added the contribution of alcohol. In the mouth are perceived flavors of black cherry, plum and blackberry, confirming a good correspondence to the nose. Let's now taste Marzemino. The attack of this wine gives the mouth a fresher and more acidic sensation than Corvina, with a moderate astringency. In this wine it is in fact crispness to dominate the gustatory profile, in which are perceived flavors of cherry, plum and blueberry, with a good correspondence to the nose.

 The final phase of our tasting by contrast will continue putting in evidence the differences between the two wines. The finish of Corvina - that is the sensation perceived in the mouth after having swallowed the wine - is characterized by a good persistence in which is still perceived the round character of the wine. In the mouth are also perceived flavors of black cherry, plum and blackberry. The finish of Marzemino is characterized by a good persistence, leaving in the mouth flavors of cherry, plum and blueberry, as well as the characteristic almond flavor, typical in wines produced with this variety. The overall sensation left in the mouth is dominated by a good crispness, just like in the previous phase, characterized by a pleasing acidity. Two grapes evidently interesting and having a remarkable personality, Corvina and Marzemino offer to the senses of the taster evident differences, even distant, however capable of making wines of refined agreeableness.